March 24, 2004
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

DeFAZIO SECURES $65 MILLION FOR HIGHWAY PROJECTS IN OREGON

Funding Will Create Much-Needed Jobs and Stimulate the Economy

WASHINGTON, DC- U.S. Rep. Peter DeFazio (D-Springfield), a senior member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee announced today that he has secured $65 million for highway construction projects in Oregon.  The desperately needed funding is included in HR 3550, "The Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users" a six-year, $275 billion federal highway and transit funding bill.  The legislation was approved today by the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.

        "Finally, Congress is moving forward with effective legislation to create real change and move this country in the right direction," said DeFazio.  "This bill will provide real projects to meet real needs and create real jobs.  My only regret is that by reducing the overall funding of the bill by $100 billion, we're leaving 750,000 jobs on the table; jobs that are sorely needed in our economy, investments that are needed in Oregon and across U.S. to enhance transportation infrastructure and improve its efficiency.  I see the passage of this legislation today as a first step.  I will continue to work with my colleagues to increase the funding level of this bill in order to provide the most robust program possible."

        The projects in Coos and Curry Counties for which DeFazio secured funding in HR 3550 are listed below.  A more detailed description of each project follows.  The bill is scheduled for debate on the House floor next week.

• $600,000 - Rogue River Bike/Pedestrian Path: Curry County
• $1,000,000 - Agness Road: Agness
• $600,000 - North Bend Waterfront District Bike/Pedestrian Project: North Bend
• $440,000 - City of Powers Bike/Pedestrian Project: Powers
• $4,200,000 - North Bank Lane

   

Project Description in Detail

CURRY COUNTY
Rogue River Bike/Pedestrian Path: Curry County, Oregon - $600,000 to build eight miles of designated shoulder bicycle/pedestrian path on both sides of Jerry's Flat Road from U.S. Highway 101 beginning at the Patterson Bridge Interpretative Park in Gold Beach, Oregon, 10 miles up the Scenic Rogue River Route to the Lobster Creek Campground. Approximately two miles of bikeway already exist between milepost 3 and 5 on Jerry's Flat Road. Funding will be used for preliminary engineering, site preparation and paving. (This is already part of the Oregon Coast Cycling Festival route.)

Agness Road: Agness, Oregon - $1,000,000 provide a safe, maintainable asphalt road for the communities of Gold Beach and Agness that will reduce resource damage and sedimentation

 Agness Road (FDR 33) is a U.S. Forest Service Road and a National Scenic Byway which provides an important transportation link between two counties and is the primary access route for the community of Agness. Unfortunately, the road has numerous unstable areas due to ground water, poor soil and deteriorated culverts. Key work will include repair of unstable, severely deteriorated road segments, including design and construction of structures, drainage improvement, signing, and bringing five bridges into compliance with the Highway Safety Act, asphalt overlay and striping.

COOS COUNTY
North Bend Waterfront District Bike/Pedestrian Project: North Bend, Oregon - $600,000 to upgrade and enhance pedestrian and bicycle access to and within the Waterfront District.

This is an integral part in the rehabilitation and diversification of the North Bend Downtown Waterfront District-- the waterfront area from the U.S. Hwy. 101 central business district to the "Old City Dock" along Harbor Avenue. It will allow safe access from Hwy. 101 across the railroad tracks, down to and along the Waterfront. 

City of Powers Bike/Pedestrian Project: Powers, Oregon -$440,000 to create a bicycle/pedestrian path along Hwy. 242 and beautify the area along the scenic route, so children and residents can safely walk to town, the county park, museums, the Health Loop or the Glendale Bike route instead of along the current narrow path along Highway 242.

North Bank Lane -$4,200,000 to rehabilitate and improve North Bank Lane and Randolph Road near Bandon. Funds will be used to improve the paving, striping and widen the shoulders to make them safe for bicycling. In addition, a portion of North bank Lane will be raised to prevent flooding from tidal action along the Coquille River and the bridge over Fahys Creek will be replaced to reduce flooding during peak rain events and tidal action. This section of road will provide access to and bisects the Ni-les'tun Unit of Bandon Marsh National Wildlife Refuge. Current plans call for future development of interpretive and viewing facilities on the refuge adjacent to North Bank Lane.